Jim Jones All Stars/US – Newport, Le Pub – 20th May 2023

Jim Jones All Stars/US – Newport, Le Pub – 20<sup>th</sup> May 2023

Making our way through the wretched hive of scum and villainy gathered on the streets of Mos Ei… sorry I of course meant…Newport, on route to entering our favourite local cantina bar, Le Pub, I’d perhaps be forgiven for thinking I’d actually stepped back in time, to a film set not from the 1970s, but in fact the 1960s and that scene in ‘Blow Up’ where David Hemmings walks in on the Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page version of Yardbirds rippin’ through a rough as they come version of ‘Train Kept A-Rollin’’. That’s because Finland’s finest rabble rousers US are in the house tonight opening proceedings for Jim Jones All Stars, and they are making an immediate (and very positive) impression on those of us in the sweaty confines of Le Pub early doors.

Having recently completed a set of UK shows in support of the fast rising His Lordship, US are not only a band seemingly out of time, but also out of this world, their music falling somewhere between garage rock and out and out old school R&B, with the Helsinki 5 piece not only winning the sharpest dressers in Newport award tonight, but also truly sounding like the real deal too. I could say they remind me of The Strypes, as they look as young as those Irish lads did in their early years, but no, these lads actually remind me of The Sonics, and that’s a world of difference in my book.

US are playing a series of UK shows this summer including a run of 5 shows at this year’s Glastonbury Festival, make sure you catch ‘em while you can, as these guys are going to be going places. 

Having witnessed Jim Jones during his time fronting revolutionary psych punks Thee Hypnotics (first time around and the brief pre-Covid reunion), along with his roustabout Revue years and those most Righteous of Minds days, my most recent encounter with the singer/guitarist was at this year’s Vive Le Rock Awards in London where he briefly put a spell on us all fronting the house pick up band the Vive Le Rockers.

Why do I mention this? Well, simply because the 8-piece band that now makes up the collective known as the Jim Jones All Stars is like the perfect sum of all those already great parts…but (as some welly wearing comedian used to say) there’s more. Much, much more.

I’m not sure exactly what it is, but there’s times tonight where the All Stars sound like they could be Stax or Sun (oh and let’s not forget Bell either) Records recording artistes, there’s just so much soul emanating from the stage, and that extra little touch of class that the dual saxophones bring to proceedings is nothing short of musical genius.

For their hour on stage (which literally felt like it was over in the blink of an eye) we get reinventions of classic Revue tracks like ‘Cement Mixer’, ‘Burning Your House Down’, ‘The Princess And The Frog’, along with a truly off the scale ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Psychosis’ plus there’s a seismic rendition of the Righteous Minds’ ‘Satan’s Got His Heart Set On You’ along for safe measure, something that very well might just have woken up any dozing Rontos chained up outside. (Jeez, I never do any Star Wars references and that’s two in one review). Plus of course there’s the All Stars very own anthem in the making, the hip shaking, ‘Gimme The Grease’, which really is a sign of truly great things to come.

Whilst a lot of the other bars in Newport would see cover bands playing in them tonight, I will bet my mortgage on the fact that none of those bands will have covered both ‘Run Run Run’ by The Velvet Underground, and ‘Everybody’s Got Something To Hide Except Me And My Monkey’ by The Beatles. Unfortunately, there’s no space in the set tonight for the band’s version Of ‘Human Fly’, aired during their inaugural live shows, but I’m more than happy to trade that in for the All Stars’ rendition of Thee Hypnotics’ ‘Shakedown’ that closes things out tonight. Wow! That really is all I can say, apart from this is how I always wanted to hear this song delivered live, and like the wise old sage stood by me during the show shouted in my ear, it really did “sound like The Stooges in their prime”.

With the clock ticking down to the dreaded night club early load out, there was just enough time for a whirlwind run through of the Revue’s ‘512’ before we were all being ushered out into the main bar and ultimately out into the maybe not quite as cold as usual Newport night air.

This long since sold out show will surely feature on many of its (very lucky) attendees’ gigs of the year list, and after seeing Jim Jones perform with all those aforementioned bands, I feel he’s really hit on something very magical indeed with the Jim Jones All Stars. 

This is without question his finest hour yet, truly exceptional stuff!

Author: Johnny Hayward

Peter Doherty – The Battered Songbook Tour – Bristol O2 – 29.04.23

Peter Doherty – The Battered Songbook Tour – Bristol O2 – 29.04.23

Having been under the weather for the previous few days and still suffering from an infection a very busy O2 Bristol gives Libertines, Babyshambles frontman Doherty a very warm welcome in the spacious environment for an “intimate” acoustic performance. Peter is accompanied onstage by his two rather large dogs who stroll on and make themselves comfortable making the whole thing quite surreal.

I can’t help but feel that playing this kind of show would work so much better in a small compact venue but then a fraction of the people would get in but that’s the way it goes, the O2 is impersonal and cavernous for a one-man acoustic show even if it was a treat to hear some gems played this way by a writer who has written some of the best songs and lyrics over the last few decades. Doherty is a genius and it felt a treat and a privilege to witness the man perform in this way. Whilst he might well have been playign to a set list it certainly didn’t feel that way as Peter meanders through the songs finding a comfortable pitch and easing his vocal into the set whist interacting with the audience as shouts go out for favourite songs and classic cuts this is loose as Dylan and Richards and Wood at live aid (go find it) its Libertines heavy in the opening exchanges, ‘Music When The Lights Go Out’ is very early in the set along with a couple of Babyshambles choice cuts with ‘Bollywood To Battersea’ working really well.

Mid set we were treated to a fantastic ramshackled ‘Can’t Stand Me Now’ where the audience found its voice and joined Doherty for the best song written by anyone in the UK for decades. As we headed into the homestraight and Peters voice was showing little signs of wear that had him postpone a show a few days earlier ‘Don’t Look Back’, ‘Time For Heroes’, ‘What Katie Did’ went down a treat before ‘Last Of The English Roses’ was aired along with a new song entitled ‘The Barons Claw’.

Possibly the best song of the night was an epic version of ‘French Dog Blues’ before ‘Albion’ kissed goodnight to a really chilled night out where I witnessed people jostling in the pit to a one man acoustic evening which was cool. To be fair I love his lyrics and I’ll take his music be it with a rock and roll band or ensemble of musicians as well as on his lonesome. Peter Doherty is a poet and one of the United Kingdoms finest songwriters and to him stripped bare like this was a real treat.

Author: Dom Daley

Ryan Hamilton – ‘Haunted By The Holy Ghost’ (Wicked Cool Records)

Ryan Hamilton – ‘Haunted By The Holy Ghost’ (Wicked Cool Records)

We’ve been banging on about Texas singer/songwriter Ryan Hamilton since before RPM was even a thing, and for good reason. Ryan is an artist who always seems to be on the verge of breaking through with every new album, before some personal tragedy scuppers his plans and he’s back to square one.

They say what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, well that all depends on what is trying to kill you, I guess. In Ryan’s case it could be a cheating first wife, addiction, divorce, online abuse, the record business, cancelled tours and most recently…a delayed album due to manufacturing errors. All the above have happened in the last decade and you really couldn’t make it up, but Ryan is still soldiering on, and thank your lucky stars he is.

‘Haunted By the Holy Ghost’ follows his 2020 break up album ‘Nowhere To Go But Everywhere’ and the following lockdown album ‘1221’. Produced by go-to-guy Dave Draper who also plays bass, along with Ben Marsden on guitar and Carol Hodge and Emily Ewing on backing vocals. It was recorded at Draper’s studio The Old Cider Press and Ryan’s home studio in Texas, making the whole album a transatlantic power pop affair.

The opening song ‘Asshole’ shows Ryan’s current attitude towards the music business. It was released on Valentine’s Day as an act of self-sabotage guaranteeing zero radio airplay, which is maybe a silly idea if you are a struggling artist wanting airplay, but I’m sure he knows what he’s doing…. but its ok, because this album is choc-a-bloc with singles!

The title track is classic Ryan power pop, a radio-friendly earworm inspired by his Catholic upbringing. With an infectious hook and a euphoric feel, it is an early highlight. ‘Paper Planes’ again, is the sort of song Ryan first showed promise with on ‘Hell Of A Day’, full of quirky, power pop goodness and a euphoric middle section that takes it up a notch.

Ryan is never shy to pen an 80’s style power ballad or two, and for this album he has outdone himself. There are two ‘lighter in the air’ moments that could end up on future teen lovers’ mixtapes. The first ‘Overdose’ is not about drug addiction, but about falling madly and deeply, like ‘first love’ deep or ‘marriage material’ deep. You know, right? We’ve all been there. Elsewhere the emotive ‘Absence Of Love’, lyrically is the complete opposite to the aforementioned ‘Overdose, while full of heartbreak and yearning, it is still as emotive though.

A cover of Splender’s ‘Yeah, Whatever’ is given a lick of aural magic by Ryan and Dave Draper. Indie beats and those quirky vocals give the turn of the century alternative hit a new lease of life, as they do with George Strait’s ‘All My Exes Live In Texas’. This fun run through was a past single but shows its face here as a hidden track (it’s a homage to the CD era, kids!) after the closing song of the album.

‘Sad Bastard Song’ officially closes the 12-track album, and it is the best song here for several reasons. For one, I just love the countrified acoustics and pedal steel guitar vibes, and secondly the tongue-in-cheek lyrics may on the surface make it seem like a throwaway, comedic song for losers, but the stark reality is that these lyrics are from the heart and probably ring truer than you would think, and it’s probably my favourite song on the goddamn record.

It’s a sad fact that some of my favourite artist from the last 30 years will never get the commercial success or the critical acclaim they so rightly deserve. Times are tougher than ever for the underdog, but only one thing can make a difference…you, the music buying public. It would be a tragedy for an album this good to slip under the radar when it should be up there with the Adele’s and the Tayor Swift’s of the world, but how can Ryan compete with those big guns? Who knows, but maybe if when you finish reading these words, you were to click a link and buy this album, that would help just a little. I mean, c’mon, it’s worth it just for that cover art of Jesus in shades, right?  

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Author: Ben Hughes

The Mission – ‘Razzmatazz’ – Barcalona, Spain. 25.04.23

The Mission – ‘Razzmatazz’ – Barcalona, Spain. 25.04.23

The sun is still blazing in the sky over a hot and sweaty Barcelona evening as a line of people zigzags up a metal staircase to Club Razzmatazz where a packed out room is bathed in dry ice as the PA creaks to ‘Tadeusz (1912-1988)’ and the already sweaty audience breaks out into a heaving mass of football sing-a-long excitement before the band walks on for one last hurrah around Europe on the Deja Vu tour.

The few times I caught The Mission last year they were on fine form breaking in the new drummer just ahead of the UK tour post covid lockdowns and they were (pardon the pun) on a Mission and full of energy. Barca expects and as the band winds up ‘Beyond The Pail’ the club is jumping and with hardly any room to breath its a heaving mass of swathing bodies singing along and I’m imediately taken back to the early days where packed clubs like Bristol Studio or New Ocean Club in Cardiff would see you carried along in a sea of bodies well this was like that. ‘Tomorrow Never Knows’ was played early doors before the band lashed out ‘Serpent’s Kiss’ and an enthusiastic ‘Over The Hills’ this was warming up to be something special.

The sound was good and the band sounded well rehearsed and full of energy. With a great mix of songs from way back to more recent offerings, it was ‘Within The Deepest Darkness (fearful)’ when we could take a breather and take in just how bloody good a band the Mission are. The show was taking shape in manageable chunks as the audience sang back every word from the epic ‘Kingdom Come’ and ‘Stay With Me’ it was ‘Butterfly On A Wheel’ where Wayne let the audience sing back to him and I think he was impressed how loud and in tune it was. the main set was brought to an end with an energetic ‘Wasteland’ before ‘Deliverance’ saw the band leave the stage for the first time. A dozen songs had just flown by and I’d found myself in a pocket of air towards the front as the band returned for a trio of songs culminating in an exhilarating ‘Crystal Ocean’ that was the highlight of the set for me. How or why I don’t know but tonight I was moved by this song even though I’d heard it live dozens and dozens of times the whole experience was uplifting and life affirming and I love that Rock and Roll can do that even in a sea of top tunes one will stand tall.

The band left the stage for a second time before Wayne returned alone to announce that one of the band needed a toilet break but would say who so it was left for a welcome return of ‘Love Me To Death’ which only left an epic rendition of ‘Tower Of Strength’ before it was done leaving only Wayne and Simon to twist out a feedback soaked ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ and then it was done. Off to Madrid for one last time as we filed out into the warm night air happy I’d once again seen The Mission deliver the goods and cement their place as one of the best live bands still treading the boards.

I know they’ve alluded to this possibly being their last foray into Europe but I’d ask they reconsider that and maybe do it one last time next year or the year after and I’ll be there and by the looks of it so will a lot of others. Another night of Deja Vu with the awesome Mission. Gracias amigos.

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Author: Dom Daley

The Atom Age/Bottlekids – Newport, Le Pub – 23rd April 2023

The Atom Age/Bottlekids – Newport, Le Pub – 23<sup>rd</sup> April 2023

There’s nothing better than the feeling of the sticky floor of your favourite local live music venue on a rainy Sunday evening, but just like the time just under a year ago when I first encountered tonight’s headliners live, I regret to say that once again the Covid social media warriors who swore they’d be at every gig if a venue would be brave enough to open during lockdown. appear conspicuous by their absence, I bet they’re probably all at home too busy posting about the national alert signal they didn’t want to go off on their mobile just a few hours earlier.

Ho hum, still those of us who are in da house, and I see quite a few new faces amongst those parting with their £8 (yup you can still do gigs for under a tenner folks) at the door, are in for a right rollicking night of live music make no mistake, and I can think of no netter way than starting things off than 30 odd minutes in the company of Chepstow based punk rockers Bottlekids.

Having not seen the trio live in quite a while it’s interesting to see (and hear) they’ve not only added a feisty cover of 3 Colours Red’s ‘Mental Blocks’ to their set, but also (to my ears at least) moved ever so slightly away from the more pop/punk edge or their earlier sound into a harder more aggressive direction. There’s still plenty of hooks and “woah ohs” to enjoy, but the band themselves appear have really grown as songwriters via their 2022 ‘Zilch!’ EP pushing the needles well and truly into the red and live they really are one hell of crack unit. Bottlekids really have been beavering away on the live front recently, playing gigs right across the country, and with plenty more shows on the itinerary for the rest of 2023, make sure you get out and support them, because as we all know, it’s always nice to discover a great new band you’ve never seen before (or in this case, not in a good while).

Which is exactly how I discovered tonight’s headliners, Californian R&B surf stompers The Atom Age. Sauntering in off the street eleven months earlier half realising a band I’d heard via a YouTube video a friend had sent me were playing Le Pub and then immediately being blown away, tonight, is going to be my first proper encounter with the 12 legged rock ‘n’ roll monster, as this time around I come prepared with a knowledge of the band’s back catalogue, but will it prove to be just as impressive as that initial encounter?

Well, it takes just a few seconds of opener ‘Honeybees’ to answer that question. Shake, rattle and rolling the always impressive Le Pub sound system The Atom Age launch themselves into action like an MC5 shaped musical torpedo and they aren’t about to miss the target. We, the audience. It’s fascinating to watch six musicians so seemingly different (visually at least) gel into such a formidable live force. From the Wilko Johnson meets Howlin’ Pelle Almqvist antics of singer/guitarist Peter Niven, to the Pål Pot Pamparius of the farfisa Fred Brott, there is an explosive edge to the band that is only balanced out by the uber cool saxophone licks of Brendan Frye and (and I’m still chuckling at the one) the young Jack Jarvis charms of anchor-man MC guitarist/singer Ryan Perras. Add to this the substantial bottom end powerhouse drummer Fat Tim and bassist Kevin Mohn and you have a band able to level audiences and venues in equal measure.

Set list wise the band are (perhaps understandably) still out on the road promoting their Covid impacted 2019 album ‘Cry ‘Til You Die’ (available tonight for just £10 on vinyl and £5 on CD folks…are you listening The Bronx?) as though it is a new record, and there are some actual newer tunes like ‘Til We’re Shakin’, a track custom made for any upcoming Tarantino soundtrack, plus the frantic BRMC-like set closer ‘I Was A Rock ‘N’ Roll Narcissist’ that indicate the future does indeed sound great for The Atom Age.

Of the older Atom Age tunes aired tonight it’s still ‘I Hypnotize’ that flicks all the switches for yours truly, the tune sounding not unlike an unreleased cut from ‘RFTC’ era Rock From The Crypt, and who couldn’t love that?

Elsewhere the aforementioned ‘Cry ‘Til You Die’ album gets represented by its soulful and sassy opener ‘Love Is A Numbers Game’, the strutting ‘Walk Through Walls’ and perhaps that record’s best cut, the glorious beetle crusher stomp of ‘Never Looking’ with its divine “woo-oo” vocal breakdown, all delivered to absolute perfection.

And if its something from the Blag Dahlia co-produced ‘Hot Shame’ album (also available for just £10 on vinyl and £5 on CD folks) you are looking for, then there’s the Hives on steroids blitz that is ‘It’s A Mess’ plus the album’s equally excellent title track for you to shake your Sunday night tail feather to.

The only downer for me tonight was it was all over way too soon. The Atom Age really are a very special band indeed, flying just under the punk rock cool radar (which at the moment seems to be distracted by any band coming out of Australia) but just the same delivering total annihilation wherever they play.

Catch The Atom Age wherever you can… they are incredible!  

Author: Johnny Hayward

Pre-Record Store Day Event 2023; featuring Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires, Shlug, The Fashion Weak, HotWax & Pigeon Wigs – Various Newport Venues – 15th April 2023

Pre-Record Store Day Event 2023; featuring Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires, Shlug, The Fashion Weak, HotWax & Pigeon Wigs – Various Newport Venues – 15<sup>th</sup> April 2023

For some years now Diverse Vinyl in Newport have been putting together a day of free live music within the city centred around Record Store Day. This year though, seemingly sick of working through the whirlwind that is the retail event of the year for many a record shop and then running an 8 hour live event, the promotor (take a bow Matt Jarrett) and venues involved (take a bow Le Pub and McCann’s) have moved this live music element forward by a week, so everyone can enjoy the show without being totally exhausted.

In saying this though, between us, me and my RPM gig going amigo Nev Brooks still can’t quite muster up the superhero power known as “standing up for the full show”, so instead, we descend on Le Pub about halfway through the event, just in time to catch Pigeon Wigs, who were also coincidentally the first band I saw post the UK coming out of Covid lockdowns.

Back in 2021 I predicted that the Cardiff based band showed all the signs of following in the footsteps of Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard and possibly ink themselves a major deal due to them playing a mesmerising mix of powerpop and fuzzy guitar driven rock ‘n’ roll. Instead (for now at least), they have  signed with Clwb Music and are just about to launch their new single ‘Hold Up’ (which gets played four songs in tonight) into the multiverse, and to be honest not a lot else has changed, other than they appear to be a keyboard player short tonight. Pigeon Wigs still have this immediate likeable swagger about them and songs like ‘Paper Tiger’ really are custom built for venues much larger than Le Pub, catch them in one such sized venue while you still can.  

I’ll say exactly the same thing too for Hastings based trio HotWax, who are up next in The Pit at McCann’s, simply because this is one amazing band in the making if ever there was one. Fusing Polly Jean Harvey’s skills within the musical dark arts with the overdriven thrust of Kat Bjelland’s Katastrophy Wife (thank you for that reference point, Mr Brooks) HotWax duck and dive around their short and not so sweet set like battle hardened grunge prize-fighters, yet they still retain the nativity of a band just out of school, a quality that immediately drags you in. Upcoming single ‘A Thousand Times’ is a classic example of how to bend and twist the song writing formula the HotWax way, whilst in ‘Barbie’ HotWax possibly have their very own scent of teen spirit ready and waiting to be bottled up for the masses. Don’t believe me, then just ask Legendary TJ’s promotor Simon Phillips who I spotted out of the corner of my eye whooping and slapping one of the basement walls mid-set as a show of support. Who was it again he promoted back in the day? Yeah, pretty much everyone.

It’s outside we go next to sample the fresh Newport night air along with about a hundred other hardy souls as Fashion Weak take to the makeshift stage situated between Le Pub and McCann’s to deliver, what turns out to be, a masterclass in avantgarde electro pop. Dubbing themselves the new wave of synth wave, what Fashion Weak actually are is yet another glorious musical left turn within a genre than seems to be throwing out great bands at an alarming rate right now. In frontman John MOuse you not only have someone brave enough to play part of tonight’s outdoor gig topless, but also dance around like an off his nut Dave Gahan, whilst delivering acerbic vocal lines (like the absolute classic ‘Eighteen Percent Of Swansea’…haven’t worked in the DVLA) over what can only be described as a Spagna goes Krautrock soundtrack. All making for one unique live experience indeed. Go see them on their ongoing UK tour and I dare you not to be dancing by the end of the first song.

We descend back into the white-hot underbelly of McCann’s just in time to see Shlug’s frontman rip off his vintage 1990s Cardiff City top and prepare to take us on a musical trip heavily influenced by the tail end of that exact same decade, and especially (I would say) by fellow Cardiff formed band Mclusky. Shlug are what some would term post-hardcore and as a result they have a tendency to be as noisy as hell (The Pit’s system crackling with the low end of their primal sound) and this proves all too much for one gig goer near me who shouts “fuck this” just a minute or so into their first song, and duly stomps their back up the stairs to the safe space of the bar, and that right there pretty much sums up Shlug’s musical appeal. They’re the type of band you’ll hate to love, just like Cardiff City I suppose. (What’s the chances RPM’s editor in chief will add some witty remark here eh?) *(Ed; I though of one at the double but decided against it)*

And so we come to tonight’s headliner Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires, who just like Pigeon Wigs before them now appear in a slightly more streamlined format, as a trio, but what a musical tour de force this trio is.

Kicking this off in manic feedback drenched style with a 1-2-3-4 attack of ‘Sweet Disorder’ the pumped-up opener leaves anyone thinking that Lee is all about country music with an immediate bloody nose. No brothers and sisters this is all about the heart and soul of rock and roll music and if anything given the frontman’s proclivity to engage in lengthy politically charged spoken word introductions to most of his songs, if anything, it’s probably more punk rock than most punk rock bands these days.

I’ll admit that I’d struggled to get into with The Glory Fires slightly more relaxed 2022 album ‘Old Time Folks’ but here in the live setting tracks like ‘Lizard People’, ‘Outlaws’ and the superb ‘(In Remembrance Of The) 40 Hour Week’ all crackle with a truly soulful undertone largely due to Lee’s huge vocal performance (he justifiably sounds slightly croaky when I get a chance for a quick chat post gig) and he looks like he’s loving every second of finally getting the chance to play these songs live post pandemic.

Of the older tunes aired ‘The Company Man’ from 2014’s ‘Dereconstructed’ album has never sounded more relevant whilst set closer ‘Good Old Boy’ from 2017’s ‘Youth Detention’ not only brings the set back around full circle but also sees Lee joining his adoring fans to share the vocal refrain as his guitar strings get shred in the ensuing frenzy, and just like that it’s all over.

What makes Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires live shows so essential is the fact that they not only hit the mark musically but also on a personal level, and one such moment tonight evolves during Lee’s between song diatribe regarding how the UK made film Pride had been synonymous in galvanising the spirit of striking Alabaman miners during their two year struggle, which is enough to move even the toughest of us.    

A truly magical performance then, topping off a great (and very eclectic) line up of bands. So, let’s hope that it really isn’t (as rumoured) the last of these events, as tonight Newport’s rich musical legacy once again burned very brightly indeed. Long may it continue….

Author: Johnny Hayward

Danko Jones heads to Europe & the UK for winter tour 2023

Danko Jones heads to Europe & the UK for winter tour 2023

Hot on the heels of sharing the news of their upcoming album “Electric Sounds” last week, Danko Jones has now announced European & UK headlining tour dates for November and December 2023.

No band has ever sounded more ready to hit the road than the pumped-up threesome showcased on the hell-for-leather ragers featured on their forthcoming album. Armed with this collection of brand new bangers, Danko Jones launch themselves into 2023 on a renewed mission to rock the living shit-lights out of anyone and everyone that wants to join the party.

Frontman Danko declares: “We love touring in the UK and thankfully we are coming back! What’s not to love when you play in front of crowds that know their rock and know how to rock out?! Every day is just one more day we have to patiently get through until the tour starts. I think you can tell I’m already very ready to do this. Give me a guitar and get me to the stage NOW”!

Special guests for the dates will be US punk squad Radkey.

European & UK Tour Dates 2023:
11/14/23 Helsinki (FI) – Tavastia*
11/16/23 Zwolle (NL) – Hedon
11/17/23 Luxembourg (LU) – Den Altier
11/18/23 Leuven (BE) – Het Depot
11/21/23 Copenhagen (DK) – Pumpehuset
11/22/23 Oslo (NO) – Rockefeller
11/24/23 Stockholm (SE) – Debaser
11/25/23 Malmö (SE) – KB
11/27/23 Arnhem (NL) – Luxor Live
11/28/23 Cologne (DE) – Essigfabrik
11/29/23 Berlin (DE) – Festsaal Kreuzberg
12/01/23 Aschaffenburg (DE) – Colos-Saal
12/02/23 Leipzig (DE) – Täubchenthal
12/03/23 Porthcawl, Trecco Bay (UK) – Planet Rockstock
12/05/23 Lindau (DE) – lub Vaudeville
12/06/23 Zurich (NL) – Dynamo
12/07/23 Milano (IT) – Legend Club
12/09/23 Paris (FR) – Backstage by The Mill
12/10/23 Bergen op Zoom (NL) – Gebouw T
12/12/23 Bristol (UK) – Thekla
12/13/23 Glasgow (UK) – King Tuts
12/14/23 Nottingham (UK) – Rescure Rooms
12/15/23 Manchester (UK) – Rebellion
12/16/23 London (UK) – Garage
* (no Radkey)

Set your alarm! Pre-sales for tickets begin at 10am BST, Wednesday 19th April. Tickets go on general sale starting at 10am BST on Friday 21st April. For all ticketing links and more information, click here.

In addition, Danko Jones are confirmed as main support on Sunday 3rd December at the rifftastic extravaganza that is Planet Rockstock, taking place in Trecco Bay, South Wales and marking its10th anniversary this year. Tickets for that event are on sale now.

Toronto’s archbishops of amplification prove that even a global pandemic couldn’t stop Danko Jones. As first album single “Guess Who’s Back” clearly displays, it just made them even more unstoppable. “‘Guess Who’s Back’ is not only the lead-off track to our new album, ‘Electric Sounds’, it’s also the imperative sentence everyone is begging to answer – Danko Jones”, quips charismatic frontman Danko.

“Electric Sounds” promises to have the instant sound and feel of a classic. With no need to reinvent the wheel, the group have further honed and refined their craft – always at full volume – although Electric Sounds is a deceptively diverse affair. “Electric Sounds” was produced by Eric Ratz, and features guest spots from Tyler Stewart (Barenaked Ladies), Damian Abraham (Fucked Up) and guitarist Daniel Dekay (from Canadian thrash legends Exciter).

“Electric Sounds” was produced by Eric Ratz, and features guest spots from Tyler Stewart (Barenaked Ladies), Damian Abraham (Fucked Up) and guitarist Daniel Dekay (from Canadian thrash legends Exciter). Slated for a release on September 15th, 2023, through AFM Records, the album pre-sale has just started here.

SUBHUMANS -U.S. TOUR – May 23

SUBHUMANS -U.S. TOUR – May 23

Legendary punk band Subhumans announced a United States with support from Cop/Out and Upchuck on select dates!

This tour comes after a reissue of Subhumans’ first 6 LPs which were all remastered from the original tapes. These records were pressed on several different versions with fans from around the globe quickly snatching up copies. Additionally, a limited edition box set featuring all six records plus an exclusive 10”, slipmat, and 52 page book was released and sold out in a matter of hours.

Subhumans have more surprises and plans throughout the rest of 2023 and beyond so fans will be waiting with anticipation for subsequent announces from Dick Lucas and the rest of the band.

Catch Subhumans live:

May 26 – Minneapolis, MN – Uptown VFW (w/ War//Plague, Cop/Out, Surrogates)

May 27 – Milwaukee, WI – Cactus Club +

May 28 – Chicago, IL – Cobra Lounge +

May 29 – St Louis, MO – Off Broadway +

May 30 – Indianapolis, IN – Black Circle +

May 31 – Cincinnati, OH – Legends +

June 01 – Cleveland, OH – Grog Shop +

June 02 – Millersville, PA – Phantom Power +

June 03 – Washington, DC – Black Cat #

June 04 – Richmond, VA – Richmond Music Hall #

June 05 – Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle #

June 06 – Columbia, SC – New Brookland Tavern #

June 07 – Atlanta, GA – The Earl

June 08 – Jacksonville, FL – Jack Rabbits #

June 09 – Orlando, FL – Will’s Pub #

June 10 – Tampa, FL – Brass Mug #

+ – w/ Cop/Out
# – w/ Upchuck

Baby Schillaci, HWDU, Hong Kong Handover – Elysium, Swansea 08/04/23

Baby Schillaci, HWDU, Hong Kong Handover – Elysium, Swansea 08/04/23

Somethigns happenign in the underground and all across south Wales there seems to be new exciting bands kicking up a shitstorm. From the East to the West its happening and the good people of South Wales need to get on board and maybe it will catch fire. Last weekend I went to the wonderful venue that is the Elyseum on the salubrious High Street to catch the impressive Baby Schillaci who have impressed me with their first two singles. So, it seemed only fair that I should go catch them live and see if this fire needs fanning and to be fair it didn’t dissapoint.

We arrived to see a healthy crowd in early for the performance of noisy alt punks Hong Kong Handover who seemed to be enjoying their time making a noise and thrashing about. Maybe a sweaty dark pub would be more suited and not having heard anything by them before it kinda washed over me but I did like their energy. As for HWDU i’ve seen them before in a squalid local pub where they were harvesting the wuhan bats for any future pandemic better known to locals as The Duke in nearby Neath. The first thing I noticed was singer/guitar player was sporting a Dead Moon shirt which isn’t somethign I was expecting on this Saturday night in Swansea and the band have some strong songs in the mix of their grungy post punk noise and along with their enthusiasm this evening eas shaping up rather nicely.

By the time the headliners took to the floor, there was a decent expectant audience in attendance as the band ripped open their set with some strong material in their brief but to-the-point set. Having two guitars and two vocalists is a good move for their post-punk offerings and a set that blended well through the darker more alternative style songs in the set (mixing up some of the darker britpop with the punk grunge of ‘Bleach’ through the pre ‘Bla Bla Bla’ era that Iggy had going on.

I was impressed with the quality of the songs and the style, but the ones that worked best were the all-out noise they brought to the room and it was with great energy. I want to hear more and see them play again an impressive performance from these boys on first impressions and no doubt they could be onto something with songs like ‘Radical’ and ‘Dead Wrestler’. As the songs will be more familiar and with each performance I’ve no doubt they will get better and better. They did save the best til last and finished off their short but sweet set with the new single ‘So Bad’, it was perfect as the pit was whipped up and we were left wanting more. Excellent night out and it was Free entry, bonkers!

Remember the name and if they hit your town get out there and get involved ‘Baby Schillaci’, Yeah! total Schillaci. Impressive first impressions.

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Author: Dom Daley